In time for International Women's Day, a group of 10 Saudi women activists have signed a petition, appealing to Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, the 150-member Consultative Assembly to expand women's right in the country.

Activist Aziza Yousef told AFP news agency on Sunday that "rights activists have petitioned the Shura (consultative) Council on the occasion of the International Women's Day [on March 8] demanding an end to the absolute authority of men over women".

They demanded "measures to protect [women's] rights," in their petition to the Shura Council, she said.

Dr. Aziza Al-Yousef, a professor at King Saud University, has been at the forefront of various campaigns to promote women's rights in Saudi Arabia, from organizing driving protests to promoting girls to play sports in schools.